Opportunity Information: Apply for UTCOPENCOMP2025
The University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), specifically through the Research and Technology function (Agency code 69A355). It reopens competition for five UTC awards that were originally part of a larger slate of 35 centers selected in 2023 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. In practical terms, USDOT is giving applicants another chance to compete for a small number of high-impact university-based transportation research centers that will help the department strengthen its national transportation research capacity and talent pipeline.
This opportunity is designed to fund the establishment and operation of university transportation centers that can build transportation expertise and advance technology across multimodal systems. The centers are expected to contribute to a critical, nationwide transportation knowledge base that supports USDOT and the broader transportation community with research, innovation, and evidence-based solutions. A major emphasis is also placed on workforce development: addressing critical workforce needs, educating and training students, and helping develop the next generation of transportation professionals and leaders. The concept is not just to support isolated research projects, but to create durable centers that can coordinate research agendas, develop specialized capabilities, and produce a steady stream of trained graduates and actionable findings.
Funding is structured as three annual increments over the life of the award, with total program funding described as 33 million across the five grants. The centers funded through this competition will operate from 2026 through 2030, aligning the work with longer-term research and workforce outcomes rather than short-term deliverables only. The NOFO lists an award ceiling of $3,000,000, indicating the maximum amount that can be awarded per grant under the terms of this announcement, and it anticipates making five awards in total.
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled universities and private universities. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is transportation. The assistance listing is identified as CFDA (Assistance Listing) 20.701, which is the federal program identifier applicants commonly use for compliance, internal routing, and grants management.
Key administrative details in the announcement include the funding opportunity number UTCOPENCOMP2025 and the title "University Transportation Centers Program FY 2025 NOFO." The opportunity was created on 2025-12-22, and the listed application deadline (original closing date) is 2026-02-20. Overall, this NOFO is aimed at universities capable of running a transportation center that meaningfully contributes to USDOT priorities through research, technology advancement, multimodal knowledge generation, and strong education and workforce development components over the 2026-2030 operating period.Apply for UTCOPENCOMP2025
- The 69A355 Research and Technology in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Transportation Centers Program FY 2025 NOFO" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-02-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through its Research and Technology function (Agency code 69A355).
2) What is the purpose of the UTC Program FY 2025 NOFO?
The purpose is to fund the establishment and operation of university transportation centers that strengthen national transportation research capacity and the transportation talent pipeline. Centers are expected to generate research, innovation, and evidence-based solutions across multimodal transportation systems, while also emphasizing education, training, and workforce development.
3) Why is USDOT running this competition again?
This NOFO reopens competition for five UTC awards that were originally part of a larger slate of 35 centers selected in 2023 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Practically speaking, it provides applicants another chance to compete for a small number of high-impact, university-based transportation research centers.
4) How many awards does USDOT expect to make?
The NOFO anticipates making five (5) awards.
5) What is the total funding available under this NOFO?
Total program funding is described as $33 million across the five grants.
6) What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The NOFO lists an award ceiling of $3,000,000, which is the maximum amount that can be awarded per grant under this announcement.
7) How is the funding structured over time?
Funding is structured as three annual increments over the life of the award.
8) What is the expected operating period for centers funded through this competition?
The centers funded through this competition are expected to operate from 2026 through 2030, aligning center activities with longer-term research and workforce outcomes.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including public/state-controlled universities and private universities.
10) What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
11) What is the primary activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is transportation.
12) Which USDOT organization is administering this NOFO?
The NOFO is administered by USDOT through the Research and Technology function (Agency code 69A355).
13) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) identifier is 20.701. Applicants commonly use this identifier for compliance, internal routing, and grants management.
14) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is UTCOPENCOMP2025.
15) What is the official title of the NOFO?
The title is "University Transportation Centers Program FY 2025 NOFO."
16) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2025-12-22.
17) What is the application deadline?
The listed application deadline (original closing date) is 2026-02-20.
18) What kinds of activities are centers expected to perform?
Centers are expected to build transportation expertise and advance technology across multimodal systems; contribute to a nationwide transportation knowledge base; and support USDOT and the broader transportation community through research, innovation, and evidence-based solutions.
19) Is this meant to fund standalone research projects or something broader?
This NOFO is intended to support durable university transportation centers rather than isolated research projects. Centers are expected to coordinate research agendas, develop specialized capabilities, and produce actionable findings and trained graduates over time.
20) How important is workforce development in this NOFO?
Workforce development is a major emphasis. The NOFO highlights addressing critical workforce needs, educating and training students, and helping develop the next generation of transportation professionals and leaders.
21) What outcomes is USDOT aiming to achieve through these centers?
USDOT aims to strengthen national transportation research capacity, expand multimodal transportation knowledge generation, advance technology, and develop a stronger pipeline of trained transportation professionals, alongside actionable research findings that support the department and the broader transportation community.
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